What if you could read the DNA of your future child? | Noor Siddiqui

Reproductive technology researcher Noor Siddiqui introduces a new era of genetic screening that moves beyond the traditional "genetic lottery" of conception. Her company, ORCID, utilizes whole-genome sequencing on embryos created through IVF to identify potential genetic diseases, offering parents actionable health data before birth. By analyzing all three billion base pairs of an embryo's DNA, this technology detects specific mutations—often invisible to standard screening—that cause conditions like lissencephaly or neurodevelopmental disorders. While the technology currently focuses on disease prevention, it also raises complex ethical questions regarding the potential for selecting traits like physical endurance or bone density. Ultimately, this shift in reproductive medicine allows parents to mitigate significant health risks for their children, fundamentally changing how families approach the genetic future of the next generation.